City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

January 4, 2010

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend Randy Sims of Christian Fellowship Church gave the invocation.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Dennis McEnaney, Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.

 

The journals for the December 21, 2009 Public Hearing and the December 21, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting were presented for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the journals for the December 21, 2009 Public Hearing and Regular City Council Meeting as presented.  Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for January 2010 in the amount of $ 373,504.88 were presented for Council’s consideration. Mayor Chesley asked if Council had any questions on the payables.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked for an update on item # 14, Engineering services for Shiloh Drive Sanitary Sewer Extension. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the project is going well and Intermountain is within the time frame.  Council Member David Wood stated that he believes that this is the lowest amount of payables we have had in a long time. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for January 2010 in the amount of $ 373,504.88 as presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

 

 

 

CITY MANAGER

 

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding Speed Limits.  City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this is on Veterans Memorial Drive between 17th Street and 42nd Street. To raise the limit to 40 mph.  Mr. Neibert stated that now the interchange is open to make the entire street 40 mph seems reasonable.  The limit now is 35 from17th Street to 26th Street. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that he feels that 40 mph between 26th Street and 34th Street is too high as there are a lot of drives to watch out for and with the new development of a hospital and other businesses plus Lincoln Park there is a lot of traffic to watch for. Chief Mendenall stated that when the limit dropped, people thought this was a speed trap. Chief Mendenall and the City Engineer are both really opposed to this change. Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to have more information on this issue and have the Chief look into this more before making a final decision.  Council concurred.  First Reading was held.

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Revolving Loan with Phoenix Modular Elevator, Inc.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this business has purchased the Infinate Access business and are moving into the property at the old shoe factory to continue to manufacture elevators.  Mr. Neibert introduced Mrs. Allison Allgaier, the owner of Phoenix Modular Elevator, Inc. Mrs. Allgaier stated that they hope to hire three employees to help get ready to manufacture and hope to sell through all the United States. The elevators that they manufacture will go up to 80 feet or an 8-story building. They are requesting a Revolving Loan in the amount of $60,000.00. The Revolving Loan Committee has approved this request.  Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Revolving Loan Agreement with Phoenix Modular Elevator Inc as presented.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. 

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Revolving Loan Agreement with John Paul and Johnna Braswell.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the plumbing supply business that had been in their location has left. This is a coal related business named Veyance Technologies Inc. They manufacture belts for coalmines. They would employ at least 10 employees and would sell to areas of Southern Indiana, Illinois South of Bloomington, Kentucky and Tennessee. The Revolving Loan Committee approved this Agreement.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Approve the Resolution Approving the Revolving Loan Agreement with John Paul Braswell and Johnna Braswell. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  She stated that she thinks that the year 2010 will be a year of progress for the City of Mt. Vernon. She stated that we have worked hard on planning and initiating policies. The new interchange, the comprehensive plan, economic development plans, infrastructure systems, water and sewer and roads all gives us a direction to go in. Mayor Chesley stated that we want to be pro-active for the future for potential growth and development of the City.  Here tonight we have two new businesses coming in and we hope to see many more.

 

Mayor Chesley stated that the calls to IDOT regarding the lights for left turns off of Wells Bypass had been short timed and they have been fixed by IDOT.

 

Mayor Chesley spoke regarding a meeting to be held on January 7, 2010 at the Municipal Building West with the City, the County Board and Mayors and Aldermen of the Villages in the area. She stated that there would be several items discussed including video gaming, Freedom of Information, the Census and Hazard Mitigation Plan. There will be someone from the Illinois Municipal League speaking on several of these issues.

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member David Wood spoke wishing everyone a Happy New Year also and thanking Mayor Chesley for her leadership the past year and thanking the other Council Members for their hard work for the year.

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Mr. Bobbie Farris addressed Council regarding the new highway and overpass. He stated that he is very happy to see it finished.  He asked about a traffic light at the exit.  Mayor Chesley stated that there would have to be a traffic count before lights are installed by IDOT.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Council Member David Wood to go into Executive Session Regarding Personnel.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.